Pharmacogenomics in Drug Discovery and Development

Pharmacogenomics refers to the study of the influence of genes in an individual's response to drugs. This field draws from two fields, namely, pharmacology and genomics. It aims at developing safe and effective medications that can be prescribed based on an individual's genetic makeup. Pharmacogenomics involves the use of genetics to reduce unfavorable drug responses, enhance drug therapies and increase drug efficacy. The use of pharmacogenomics in drug development is expected to eliminate the unpredictable response of drug treatments that occurs due to genetic polymorphisms, which affect metabolism, tolerance and clearance. Pharmacogenomics can potentially be used to create tailored drugs for treating a variety of health issues such as Alzheimer's disease, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This book aims to shed light on the role of pharmacogenomics in drug discovery and development. It covers in detail some existent theories and innovative concepts revolving around this domain. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.